Weak fingernails

[jackNruby2]

My fingernails are very weak and are constantly becoming ragged I think it is mxt8 but I'm not certain. I would appreciate any tips

Cheers

[BoneyC]

Have you tried Sally Hanson Complete Care 7 in 1 nail treatment? I've been on MTX for about 45 years and have ridges in my nails but I attribute that to RA, not MTX.

[Haz58 in reply to BoneyC]

My nails are terrible now. Splitting and ridged. I've always had strong nails before RA but I've never thought of it being RA linked. I thought it was probably calcium related. Interesting.

[jackNruby2 in reply to Haz58]

Thank you, I forgot to mention the ridges, I read it may a lack of zinc but maybe it's just another Inflammatory Arthritis "gift"

[jackNruby2 in reply to BoneyC]

Thank you I'll give Sally Hanson a try

[Haz58 in reply to BoneyC]

Thank you. Ordered some today 🙂🤞

[cyberbarn]

Nail problems are associated with psoriatic arthritis as well as RA. I had nail problems before I was diagnosed, they got better on MXT, then when I had to stop that and they wouldn't give me any other medication the nail problems came back again. So definitely a problem of the disease, not the drug.

I just try to keep my nails short now, and try (but fail) to not pick at the rough dry skin around them.

[jackNruby2 in reply to cyberbarn]

Thank you very much

[MerielPB]

Yes it’s the mtx. I used to have very strong long nails but since starting the mtx they are very short and constantly breaking.

[jackNruby2 in reply to MerielPB]

Thank you

[OldLadyM]

I cut mine as short as possible and it might stop the crack and split if I'm lucky.

But I'm different...

I've always had useless nails but they've improved since starting MTX. For me, there's a correlation between the nails starting to deteriorate and an increase in RA pain when the MTX isn't controlling the RA properly.

The change in nail strength first happened with Prednisolone when I was first diagnosed; my nails were long and strong cat claws by the end of the three week course. They were useless again by the time the MTX prescription started a couple of months later (delayed by circumstances) but improved again after a couple of months when the MTX had kicked in.

[fergus22]

Biotin tablets. They can be bought for a very reasonable price. You need to keep taking them daily and long term. My nails had become so thin and biotin reversed this.

[Lolabridge]

Yes mine are too and I’m sure it’s the RA as I’m not on MTX. I’ll try BoneyC’s suggestion.

[jackNruby2 in reply to Lolabridge]

me too and suggested products from other people, even collagen 😝

[Lolabridge in reply to jackNruby2]

I have been taking collagen capsules but have been told that hydrolysed collagen is much more effective. So I’m going to switch to that.

[ABwn]

I was prescribed folic acid for hair when I started mtx many years ago. This also helps nails. I thought you were automatically put on these at the same time. Let your rheumy nurse know. Good luck.

[Popinjay]

Yes RA is the gift that keeps on giving i have been on it for about 20 years and my nail have gotten worse since going through the menopause. periodic hair loss, and unexplained cough some days and Tinnitus . If the RA doesn't the medication ii am on both MTX 25 mg and Baracitinib

[Stills in reply to Popinjay]

Hello Popinjay,

I read your comment about cough, hair loss and tinnitus. I have a chronic rheumatoid condition and am post menopausal at 62, using HRT patches but medication free as far as RD goes. I hadn’t made the link to RD for these things but combined with other new symptoms, fatigue, GI issues, weight loss and vision problems my research led me to consider thyroid problems. I’m still under investigation for this but thought it worth mentioning.

[DJK99]

Hey there -

I hear you - mine were dreadful for most of my life... but.. I discovered Collagen - and also Chicken bone broth (you can buy them ready made.. no hours of boiling bones in my kitchen!).

The Collagen that is best from those I've tried (Welleco also) is from a Brighton family based co - Bare Biology. Taking this daily (mixed in Activia vanilla yoghurt, and then into a smoothie with pineapple (or whatever your choices) makes it's fishy smell non-existent - but also, very importantly, coupled with the bone broth 3 days a week. Honestly, my nails have never been so long and strong.. I spend a lot of time filing them back these days - hurrah!

All the best and hope that helps.

D

[KathleenMary in reply to DJK99]

Not sure I could cope with collagen as you describe it....

[DJK99 in reply to KathleenMary]

I know what you mean, but I don't notice it now as the trick is not to stick your nose in the container(like I did the first time!), and just mix it with other products/foods - then you're completely unaware. There are so many other options for collagen though, Welleco Collagen has little or no taste, but I still mixed it with other more palatable things. It's worth it believe me! I had a very long mastectomy scar from middle of my chest to my underarm and the scar just wouldn't heal, no doubt due to be autoimmune/CTD, but after 6wks of being on the welleco one I realised one morning whilst drying myself in front of the mirror that, wow, it was finally beginning to look less "fresh" and was disappearing. Truly, it's one of the best things on the market these days for everyone, as it supports all skin, hair, nails, bones etc.. Do have a read up.. You won't look back, believe me. I'm on methotrexate too, along with a load of other drugs.. D

[KathleenMary in reply to DJK99]

Thanks DJK I will give it a try.

[DJK99 in reply to KathleenMary]

But there are many good ones out there that are capsule btw... so you don't have to risk any taste issues. If you go onto the website getthegloss.com they have truly great section/articles on wellbeing (including one on collagen but also I think they had a v recent article on their award winning or "best" beauty and wellness products - I think Welleco Superelixir was the top "greens" product (and my life saver since 2017 when just was at the end of my ability to work, pretty bed bound - life changing!) and they'll have their best collagen product too I think.. but if not just put in the search box "collagen": and it will give you an article showing the list for "best collagen for...xyz" ie sleep, nails, whatever. I think I remember that anyway.

No need to put yourself near vomit moments each morning if you're as high sense of smell/sensitive as me.. I just got over it as I know the Bare Biology one is the best as is pure and my guts really don't need any further invitation to act up, believe me! - as my nails are telling me... but anything is better than nothing collagen-wise - and there are excellent capsule ones out there I know.. I just wanted the Bare Biology one as, yep, it's won awards/is family based and local but importantly it's all natural and from eco fish sources, and is clearly just going straight into my system and is free of anything other than pure fish (yes, they say you can't tell, but they clearly don't have my high sense of smell/taste etc..! Anwyay, as I said, I decided to hold my breath, mix it with fruit juice, yoghurt etc to taste so much nicer).

All the best.. D ps. the getthegloss.com website is v good for keeping up on all things wellness, cutting edge stuff too, it's not just about make up and massages!

[DJK99 in reply to DJK99]

I just tried to look for you on the getthegloss site and it's pretty clunky.. anyway I found the collagen finalists and winner.. and whilst I cannot vouch for any of them, they have! I'd still go for the Welleco or Bare Biology one (if you can find a peg and mix it up with nice stuff as it has REALLY made a difference to me.. it's just about controlling the yuk reflex I find with me!). anyway.. here you are:

Gold: Absolute Collagen Marine Liquid Collagen Drink, £33.99 “Congratulations to Absolute Collagen – one of the few companies that has put time and effort into research to prove that its product works. It has not just collagen but important vitamin C, essential for collagen formation,” says judge Dr Galyna Salezneva.

Silver: Revive Active Beauty Complex, £49.95

Bronze: Vida Glow Collagen Liquid Advance, £40.00

Finalist: Arella Vegan Collagen, £32.99

Finalist: Correxiko Marine Collagen Powder, £39.95

[jackNruby2 in reply to DJK99]

wow thank you

[KathleenMary]

I have the same problem. I too am on methotrexate

[Jfw24]

I take biotin, mainly for my hair but I’ve noticed my nails no longer break. I’ve been on methotrexate for three years.

[KathleenMary in reply to Jfw24]

Thanks

[Thingybob]

I thought it was the mtx but was told by my gp and rheumy nurse it is lack of vitamin d. My nails do improve in the spring and summer so i started on vit d spray in winter only ( rheumy approved). It has helpedYou could get your vit d levels checked ?

All the best

[KathleenMary in reply to Thingybob]

Thanks for your help

[KathleenMary]

I'm taking vitamin D daily since I broke my hip

[Stills]

since being diagnosed with Stills disease in 1979 I’ve had dreadful nails, splitting , flaking, peeling, cracking, bending, growing out of , pitting and ridged. I use Sally Hanson vitamin d paint in solution which helps. The worst nails affected are the fingers two fingers oneach hand with Depyprutens contracture's. ( sorry spelling). They improve in summer when vitamin d is boosted by sunshine.